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Welcome to our final e-bulletin for 2009. We look forward to bringing you more news, stories and information from the realm of social enterprise in 2010. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the festive season!  

Visit www.socialtraders.com.au  
Email info@socialtraders.com.au  
Or if you would like to talk to us, call Mark Daniels and the Social Traders Team on (03) 9421 7574.

Social Traders Activity

Social Enterprise Study Tour

On December 14, Social Traders hosted a successful study tour to three inspiring social enterprises in Melbourne. Ten participants with a diverse range of experience and involvement in social enterprise enjoyed the opportunity to hear from and speak with the CEO's of the Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies (CERES), Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) and The Big Issue. The day provided participants with a great insight into the establishment, development and operations of these successful social enterprises. Social Traders plan to run more tours in 2010. If you would like to participate on a tour, please register your interest with us at info@socialtraders.com.au.   

‘Gifts with Impact’ Directory Online

Give a gift this Christmas (or any time of the year for that matter) that helps improve the social, environmental and economic situation for individuals and communities in need. We have put together a list of social enterprises that sell a range of products that would make wonderful gifts. It is a growing list. If you are engaged with or are aware of other social enterprises that sell products, please let us know by emailing info@socialtraders.com.au. 
View the list at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/social-enterprise-products.

The Social Traders Team welcomes two new staff members

Social Traders' team will soon be expanding with the recent appointment of May Lam as Policy and Strategy Manager and Libby Ward-Christie as Social Enterprise Program Manager. Both May and Libby will bring great passion, expertise and skills to our organisation. They start work with Social Traders early next year.
Read more at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/social-traders-welcomes-new-staff-members.

Jobs Fund Proposal for Social Enterprise Sustainability Initiative

Social Traders and a number of partner organisations have developed the ‘Social Enterprise Sustainability Initiative’ to provide a range of network, learning and business support services to social enterprises engaged in delivering Jobs Fund Round 1 & 2 employment outcomes.
Read more at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/jobs-fund-proposal-social-enterprise-sustainability-initiative.

News

Community Enterprise Development Initiative (CEDI) to close on Dec 31

An initiative of The Department of Planning and Community Development, in partnership with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) and Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES), the CEDI has been operating since 2005. In its 5 years, the CEDI has developed and tested various means of support to community enterprises, has provided intensive support to 36 community groups (2/3rds of which are now trading or planning to trade), and less intensive support to over 200 other community groups. CEDI has played a crucial role in raising the profile of community/social enterprises in Victoria and nationally.
Read more at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/community-enterprise-development-initiative-cedi-close-december 

ABC Learning Centres Sold to Goodstart Syndicate

The receiver of ABC Learning, Chris Honey, recently named the Goodstart syndicate as the preferred purchaser to buy the collapsed firm's remaining childcare centres. The syndicate includes Mission Australia, the Benevolent Society, Social Ventures Australia and the Brotherhood of St Laurence. 
Read more at www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/abc-learning-centres-sold-welfare-group.    

New Social Procurement Literature Review released by CPNS

The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies (CPNS) has released its latest working paper, 'Social Procurement and Its Implications for Social Enterprise: A literature review'. Co-authored by Associate Professor Jo Barraket and Janelle Weissman, the paper reviews the available academic and policy literature to identify the possibilities and limitations of social procurement, and the factors that enable its implementation.
Read more at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/new-social-procurement-literature-review-released-cpns.

DEEWR hosts Social Enterprise Rountable in Canberra

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations hosted a rountable of key stakeholders to consider how the corporate, non-profit and public sectors can create real and lasting partnerships to support the growth and development of social enterprises in Australia. Thirty individuals from across the government, business, community and social enterprise sectors attended the forum, where the importance of the need for comprehensive mapping of areas of expertise and knowledge across intermediary and other support organisations was highlighted. 

Greens Launch ‘Cooperative Tasmania’ Initiative

The Tasmanian Greens has released their election policy initiative Cooperative Tasmania, which will provide practical assistance to local communities seeking to establish a cooperative, including provisions for the government to intervene to prevent asset-stripping.
Read the full news story at www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/11/greens-launch-cooperative-tasmania-initiative.

Australian Social Enterprise Stories Project

The Centre for Social Impact (CSI) and Parramatta City Council are collaborating on a project to document stories of Australian social enterprises through a series of interviews. The interviews, with around 30 social enterprises, will be developed into a publication intended as a catalyst for change.
Read more about the project at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/australian-social-enterprise-stories-project.

Social Studio Launches in Melbourne

The recently opened Social Studio was officially launched on Saturday 5^th Dec at Federation Square. Around 300 guests enjoyed an evening of music, film, food and a fashion parade showcasing the creative works of fourteen of the studio’s young designers. The Social Studio is a dynamic space where clothing is created from the style and skills of the young refugee community, using recycled and excess manufacturing materials.
Read more at www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/social-studio-launches-melbourne.

Government urged to back social benefit enterprises

ABC's AM program last week ran a feature story on social enterprise. The report by George Roberts on Thursday, November 26 highlighted the work of Mars Hill Café and The African food project, supported by the Western Sydney Council of Parramatta’s social enterprise Hub.
Access the transcript at http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2753907.htm.

Avocare Community Distribution Centre wins Heart Foundation Award

The One Stop Shop, now known as the Avocare Community Distribution Centre, was recently awarded “National Overall Winner and National Category Winner” in the Heart Foundation’s awards “Recognising Local Governments that develop and implement initiatives in collaboration with the community to improve the heart health of priority groups.” Read more at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news/2009/12/avocare-community-distribution-centre-wins-national-heart-foundation-award.

Opinion Piece of the Month

Neil Smith – “What’s In a Name?”

“While both Community Enterprise and Social Enterprise share common attributes – such as a desire to create employment and an underlying commitment to environmental issues, there are also major differences – in approach, in ownership and in outcome…”
Read the full opinion piece at www.socialtraders.com.au/opinion-pieces.

Social Traders will be regularly featuring thought provoking opinion pieces on various topics related to social enterprise. We invite you to share your views on these pieces through our Community Discussion Forums, as well as contribute your own opinion pieces by contacting info@socialtraders.com.au.  

About Social Enterprise

Did you know…
Fair Trade Social Enterprises are businesses that exist to benefit producers and workers in developing countries by paying fair prices for products and commodities which they on-sell in developed countries.
Fair Trade Social Enterprise – Just one of a range of Social Enterprise types. Read more at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/library/case-studies.

Social Enterprise Profile

Fair Trade Coffee Company

The Fair Trade Coffee Company was established in August 2006 as the first fair trade-exclusive café in Sydney, and is a subsidiary of Palms Australia. All profits are reinvested into Palms, an independent organisation placing skilled international development volunteers, at the request of communities, around the world. As a social enterprise, the café is a natural fit with Palms’ ideological commitment to promoting a more just and fair world, and encouraging everyday people to play a role in securing social and economic justice with simple acts, such as purchasing fair trade tea or coffee.

Read more about Fair Trade Coffee Company and other social enterprise case studies at www.socialtraders.com.au/library/case-studies.

If you are keen to profile, or would like to contribute a case study of your social enterprise to our website, post your document at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/node/add/library or contact us at info@socialtraders.com.au.

Events

We are keen to communicate news and events anywhere in Australia that relates to social enterprise. If you would like us to promote your news or event, post your information to our website at http://www.socialtraders.com.au/news or email info@socialtraders.com.au. 

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